LMC Working Test

Chester and I entered our first working test today in puppy class. I was so nervous, had no idea what to expect and saw people I knew would be good. eeek!

Test went as follows:

Hunting - hunted in a wooded area. Stop your dog at the end and recall. Chester hunted well but judge said I didn't hunt with him enough so he was hunting by himself. I was conscious not to give too many commands so ended up not giving enough. Handler error!

Water retrieve - I thought this was tricky. Deep entry into reeds/vines and then a bit of an open swim to the dummy. Chester was hesitant going in, then got stuck in the reeds and panicked a bit so came back out. Sent him out again, eventually he got past the reeds, got the dummy but dropped it before he came out. Probably because of the steep exit. Just needs more experience on this.

Memory retrieve - Triangle set up. Walk your dog off lead to a marker (only one command to be used for heel), sit them up, walk out to a marker mid way, throw the dummy out. Return to dog, heel to the beginning, send for the dummy. Chester did it perfectly!!!! Delivered to hand too :) Couldn't fault him.

Seen retrieve - Seen retrieve down a track, deliver to hand. Chester waited until I sent him but it wasn't a confident run down the track and he went off to the side and hunted. Struggled to get him back on track, eventually he bought it and delivered to hand. Doubt we got many marks for that.

Not sure where we placed as left early. I don't expect much but really pleased we're definitely up to standard and can do all of the tests, just need to put him in the test environment more.

Want to enter some more puppies before the season is out.